In my childhood, while the tempos were public public-conveyance, the autos were considered the private public-conveyance…To a self-conscious middle-class, autos were always on the ‘luxury’ side…and that had made them even more desirable to a whole generation of kids… My fascination with autos dates back to those days…
These days, due to parking constraints at one of our offices, I often choose to hire an auto… And I tell you! The whole feeling has been absolutely liberating…! Looking at all the hoardings, observing people, reading slogans…and above all ‘talking to the auto-guys’…
They have an opinion on everything that moves!
While one educated me on why Anna failed in Mumbai protests, another blessed me with his paranormal theory on why the seasons are changing…While one shared his struggles with moist-eyes & choking throat, another talked about his dreams with an extraordinary modulation (specially ‘volume’)…
While on one instance we ended up sharing the Urdu couplets, on another he explained his whole religious ideology to me…While I taught one the importance of stopping at red-light (which he forgot on the very next square), another asked me to mind my own business (I felt so hurt that I started humming ‘Ekla Chaalo Re…’)…
While with one I hassled for 10 Rs, another offered a 10 Rs. discount with a huge grin…While one talked about spirituality through his tobacco-teeth, another was drunk enough to take revenge with British for enslaving us for so long (he chose to try speaking in English)…
It has indeed been an experience of a lifetime…
…Isn’t it ironical…that in life, with our obsession for reaching the destinations, we tend to forget that… the journeys are also meant to be enjoyed!
About Sandeep Atre
Dr. Sandeep Atre:
• Counseling Psychologist and an internationally recognized ‘Emotional & Social Intelligence’ Expert, with experience of more than two decades in helping people ‘sort out’ and ‘excel in’ intrapersonal and interpersonal matters. He holds a PhD in Management and a Master’s degree in Psychology (www.dratrecounsels.com).
• Founder of Socialigence – a venture specializing in development of ‘Social & Emotional Intelligence’ and its offshoot interpersonal skills through workshops and an award-winning online course rooted in neuroscience and psychology (www.socialigence.net).
• Author of two books related to his domain, namely - “Understanding Emotions Logically” and “Observing Nonverbal Behavior”; and third book on various aspects of life, named “Two Paras of Everyday Wisdom”. Moreover, the collection of his Nazms and Ghazals is published as a book titled “Baat Jazbaat Ki”.
• Corporate Trainer, with experience of close to two decades. Has conducted 150+ workshops/sessions for 50+ organizations & institutions like CSC, Cummins, Piramal, Ranbaxy, Lupin, Bridgestone, Michelin, Eicher, Maruti, Force, Idea, Airtel, NBHC, SBI, HDFC, L&T, Zydus, Thapar University, Banasthali, Narsee Monjee, Symbiosis, IIFM Bhopal, Azim Premji University, Nirma, Welingkar & IBS Hyderabad.
• Co-Founder and Director of CH EdgeMakers – a leading ‘Coaching and Training’ organization of central India for more than 24 years. He has trained close to 100 thousand students for ‘Soft Skills’ & ‘Entrance & Recruitment Preparation’ (www.ch-india.com).
• ‘Management Speaker and Orator’. Has featured at platforms like TEDx, IIM, IIT, NIT, CII, YI, CII-IWN, TCS, IMA, ICAI, ECA, ISHRAE, NEN, Sahodaya, Aditya Birla Education Academy, Round Table, LinkedIn Local, Rotary International, MP State’s Teachers’ Training, Academic Staff College DAVV, Police University Rajasthan, Police Training Academy Indore & more than 100 institutions.
• Member of noted associations and boards. Has been an ‘Executive Committee’ member of Indore Management Association. Associate Editor of IMA publications. Governing Council Member of Banasthali University’s SBBJ Centre for Research in MSME & Promotion of Entrepreneurship in Women. Executive Member of IMS, DAVV Alumni Association. Member of Rotary International’s ‘Group Study Exchange’ team to Minnesota, USA. ESI Coach with FWSA Australia.
Note: For glimpses of work, watch YouTube Channel ‘Dr. Sandeep Atre at Socialigence’.
